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Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 99MA022, 1999 Oct; :1-4

On March 30, 1999, a 39-year-old male self-employed residential construction contractor (victim) was fatally injured when he fell 10 feet through a floor opening striking his head on the concrete chimney footing below. The victim was working with a co-worker to true up the gable end of the second floor of a single family home under construction. The victim was holding a level to the gable end wall when he apparently stepped backwards into the opening in the floor intended for a chimney. Two laborers were on the second floor level with the victim, one went to assist the victim while the other laborer went to call for emergency assistance. The local police department, fire department, and state police arrived and the victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The MA FACE Program concluded that to prevent similar occurrences in the future, residential contractors including self-employed contractors should: 1. Keep all holes/openings in walking/working surfaces covered throughout all phases of construction. 2. Develop a safety program that includes, but is not limited to evaluating and preventing hazards, such as those related to falls before beginning tasks.